ROYAL Marines based at Norton Manor Camp, in Norton Fitzwarren, took part in an exercise to storm Pentewan beach, near St Austell, Cornwall, in the early hours of Sunday.
The beach assault by 40 Commando was launched from HMS Ocean to show the ship’s amphibious capability along with the Marines’ elite skill.
The operation involved numerous landing craft and helicopters, as well as specially-modified vehicles.
Lieut Col Paul James, Commanding Officer of 40 Commando, said: “After tours of Afghanistan and Iraq in recent years, being involved in amphibious exercises like this is excellent for Royal Marines because it takes us back to our roots and is what we do best.”
The Commandos are playing the role of embarked military forces during HMS Ocean’s operational sea training, showing their flexibility by assisting the ship’s company in firefighting, medical emergency and damage control exercises.
The Marines are undertaking their final preparations before they sail to the Mediterranean and Far East as part of the Royal Navy’s Taurus 09 deployment.
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